Offshore wind
Offshore wind is at the heart of both energy and economic government policy in Scotland.
To build on our capabilities, we will invest up to £500m over 5 years to strengthen Scotland's offshore wind infrastructure and supply-chain. This investment has the potential to unlock an additional £1.5 billion in private investment. In the draft budget on 4 December 2024, Ministers took a strategic decision to almost triple the amount of capital investment for 2025 to 2026 (year two of the five-year investment) to £150 million.
This investment will serve as a catalyst for further private sector support and de-risk investment.
As part of our Scottish Government and wider public sector approach to delivering this investment, we reviewed the data around Scotland’s potential for offshore wind. We carried out analysis to identify gaps and opportunities to maximise economic benefit from the development of infrastructure, supply chain, skills and training.
As a result of that work, we published our offshore wind focus paper (September 2024). This sets out the key evidence underpinning the prioritisation of supply-chain components and the ports and harbours clusters critical for the successful build-out of our offshore wind projects
Building a skilled workforce
Scotland’s offshore wind sector presents a generational opportunity to create high-quality jobs and drive inclusive economic growth.
Analysis suggests the sector could support between 10,400 and 54,000 jobs, good-quality, diverse roles for those entering the job market for the first time and those who want or need to change careers as part of a just transition. .
To ensure we have the right people, with the right skills, in the right place, we are taking coordinated action across government. In partnership with the offshore wind industry, the STUC, and the public sector, the Scottish Government has established a short-life working group to deliver a joint evidence-based offshore wind skills action plan by autumn 2025.
In addition, targeted funding will be provided to the college sector in 2025–2026 to establish and deliver an Offshore Wind Skills Programme, helping to create region specific training hubs for offshore wind skills.
This approach will ensure Scotland builds the skilled workforce required to deliver on our offshore wind ambitions.
Accessing public sector support
We will deploy funding on a commercial-first approach through the Scottish National Investment Bank and Enterprise Agencies. This will help mobilise private capital to ensure we have the right infrastructure, facilities and supply chain capabilities in place.
The Scottish National Investment Bank and the Enterprise Agencies can advise on available support for companies and investors.